ITG Next Florida is spotlighting each of the games and teams that will be part of the Broward County National High School Football Showcase on August 24-26. This week we look at the interstate matchup between the Milton (GA) Eagles and the Western Wildcats of Davie, FL.
Overview
This Broward County Showcase matchup will feature the best of Georgia and South Florida high school football. The Milton Eagles won the 2018 Georgia Class 7A state championship, finished as the state runner-up in 2021, and posted a 10-4 record and Class 7A state semifinal appearance in 2022. Milton has won its region in each of the last five straight seasons.
Western has emerged as one of top teams in its region, advancing to the regional finals within the last five seasons. The Wildcats have averaged right at nine wins per season over that stretch, including three straight nine-win seasons from 2018 to 2021, not including the Covid-shortened 2020 season.
The Coaches
Milton: Ben Reaves is in his second season as the Eagles head coach.
Western: Adam Ratkevitch is in his 10th season as the Wildcats head coach.
What They Had to Say
From exclusive interviews with the Milton and Western coaches, here’s what they told ITG Next Florida about the Broward County National High School Football Showcase.
Ben Reaves: “Just looking at the lineup of teams that are involved in this event, it’s an honor to even be considered and thrown on the same list as these guys. We always like to open the year playing the best competition we possibly can, and there’s not an event anywhere in the country that is as loaded as this season’s Broward High School Football Showcase, in my opinion. Not only will we be playing against a top team nationally in Western, but the experience and atmosphere that is going to be set that week by our host and the sponsors is going to be first-class all the way. … Looking at and studying Coach Ratkevich’s teams, you can tell his players are going to show up hungry, with a chip on their shoulder, and ready for a 48-minute fight.”
Adam Ratkevitch: “We are absolutely fired up about the opportunity to play in this outstanding event against one of the most respected teams in the state of Georgia. I can’t thank Kevin Perry enough for putting together this outstanding event together, with the best in Broward versus the best in the nation. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”
Last Meeting
The Broward County National High School Football Showcase will mark the first matchup between Milton and Western.
Last Season
Western: The Wildcats posted a 7-4 record in their first season in Class 4M after Florida’s reclassification. They advanced to the FHSAA Class 4M regional semifinals.
Milton: First-year head coach Ben Reaves led the Eagles to a 10-4 record and the Georgia Class 7A state semifinals.
Impact Players
Milton: “Our program as a whole, from the 2024 class to the 2027 class, is filled with great football players, as well as great high-character kids,” Reaves said.
- QB Luke Nickel
- WR Debron Gatling
- WR Marc Essley
- TE Ryan Ghea
- DB Dylan Lewis
- LB Jacorey Stewart
- LB Jack Lawson
- DT Riley Rushing
- DE Drew Cohen
- DT Terence Spencer
Western
- QB Davi Belfort
- RB Tovine Mizell
- WR Keyvon Johnson
- OL Martezz Charles
- CB Zyon Presley
- LB Julian Mendez
- DE Jacob Joseph
- DB Nate Jean
Next Week
We’ll continue to break down the Broward County High School National Football Showcase with a look at the Cedar Grove (GA) Saints and the Monarch Knights.
